85 years ago, the architect of the Municipal House, Osvald Polívka, passed away

Prague - 85 years ago, on April 30, 1931, the prominent architect and urban planner Osvald Polívka passed away in Prague. The author or co-author of admired architectural gems such as the Prague Municipal Savings Bank in Rytířská Street, the Land Bank on Na Příkopě, and especially the Municipal House in Republic Square, he is one of the main representatives of Czech Art Nouveau. However, during his time, he was not very popular and was even labeled as an unoriginal eclecticist.

Polívka, who was born on May 24, 1859, began his professional career at the Prague German Technical University under Professor Josef Zítek. His later work was greatly influenced by a study stay in Italy. The inspiration from colorful mosaics, interiors, and fountains was particularly reflected in his designs for richly decorated palaces for banks, savings banks, and insurance companies, including interiors, where he always collaborated with leading artists. His work evolved from neo-Renaissance through neo-Baroque, Art Nouveau, and later to Neoclassicism.

In addition to the Land Bank, the municipal savings bank, and the interiors of the Municipal House, Polívka remarkably applied his creativity in the foyer of the Czech Insurance Company on Spálená Street. Among other realizations, he also completed the house U Nováků on Vodičkova Street, Topič Publishing House on Národní Avenue, and last but not least, the New Town Hall on Mariánské Square. He did not limit himself to Prague; his works can also be found in Nymburk, Hradec Králové, Karlovy Vary, Prostějov, as well as in Bratislava and Trieste.